Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Slitt said no offer has yet been made to Diaz-Mendez in the case, and one won’t be made until Chingo Riz decides whether to accept or reject an undisclosed offer by the state. Slitt said Chingo Riz could plead on Jan. 25, his next court date.

“The idea is to resolve the Chingo Riz case first,” Slitt said. “Then an offer would be made to (Diaz-Mendez).”

Neither Chingo Riz nor Diaz-Mendez has pleaded to the charges. Both are in the county illegally.

Athena was pronounced dead at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center after she was admitted to Windham Hospital unresponsive earlier in the evening. An autopsy revealed the child died of “blunt traumatic chest and abdominal injuries.”

Numerous bruises also were found on her body, including on her torso, face and the tops of her ears. Internally, the child had blood in her abdominal cavity, two lacerations to her liver and kidney injuries. She also had rib fractures, according to the report.

Police said reports show the abuse was hidden for months before a final beating took the girl’s life.

Chingo Riz was arrested a day after the child died and admitted punching the girl on multiple occasions when he lost his patience. Diaz-Mendez was arrested in June.

On another occasion, Athena was not eating. Chingo Riz admitted punching her in the stomach out of frustration, “causing her to fall backwards, striking the back of her head against the edge of the bathroom sink,” according to the arrest warrant affidavit. He cleaned the wound and put her to bed.

On Nov. 23, the night of her death, police said, Athena was not eating. Chingo Riz punched her in the stomach and then, later, when she pretended to eat, “this again bothered him,” according to the affidavit.

Chingo Riz remains held on $1.5 million bond. Diaz-Mendez is held on a $500,000 bond. Both are charged with first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault.
Diaz-Mendez is due back in court Feb. 8.